Megbd

Congrats to you! What kinds of testing did you have to do? I barely have my 1st consultation with the surgeon next Wednesday and I'm just curious on what I can maybe expect.

Went to the seminar last night and when I went there I had my mind set on the lap band. But after the surgeon went over all 3 procedures (band, sleeve and gastric bypass) the sleeve kinda sounds good too. I guess my question is how did you guys decide on lap band over any other procedure?

According to my insurance they'll cover my surgery if the doctor sees it medically necessary. So which doctor writes my letter for the Insurance company. My PCP, the surgeon or both?

So then after I see the surgeon and do my psych and diet eval then my PCP writes my letter? Or before I do my evals?

I've called my insurance regarding having the lap band surgery and what my coverage was and they told me I have no coverage for bariatric surgery unless they got a letter from the dr saying that it was medically necessary. I have yet to see a bariatric dr(I'm going to a seminar on Tuesday) yet and I'm a little scared/nervous that he won't see it medically necessary for me. I've been 100+ over for about 6 years now, my BMI is 45 but I have no diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea or anything like that. (i would like to prevent that). I've tried dieting on my own and have been unsuccessful. Has anyone had any experience with having there Dr write up a letter? And what we're some of the things that he used to persuade the insurance to get the surgery if you didn't have any comorbidity?

Me too! I'm excited for us

Thanks for all the informative feed back. I'm feeling really good about this. I had one other question. During the seminar, do they check your insurance and all that while I'm there and I'll know at the end of the seminar or how does that work? Do I wait to talk about the insurance part of it after I meet with the surgeon?

So then my PCP has to write my letter of medical necessity. Not my bariatric surgeon?

I've called my insurance regarding having the lap band surgery and what my coverage was and they told me I have no coverage for bariatric surgery unless they got a letter from the dr saying that it was medically necessary. I have yet to see a bariatric dr(I'm going to a seminar on Tuesday) yet and I'm a little scared/nervous that he won't see it medically necessary for me. I've been 100+ over for about 6 years now, my BMI is 45 but I have no diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea or anything like that. (i would like to prevent that). I've tried dieting on my own and have been unsuccessful. Has anyone had any experience with having there Dr write up a letter? And what we're some of the things that he used to persuade the insurance to get the surgery if you didn't have any comorbidity? **sorry so long**

My insurance also told me that any pre surgery requirements like a 3-6 month monitored diet is up to my medical group and doctor to decide. I thought it was up to your insurance for things like that?

I have the classic *** plan. Insurance said if approved i pay $250 (I assume that's my deductible) and the rest is covered my insurance, but It has to be medically necessary. But after lithe seminar, the drs office call my insurance?

I have the classic *** plan. Insurance said if it gets approved I only pay $250 (I assume that's my deductible) and the rest is covered by the insurance. But once I go to the seminar, the drs office contact my insurance about the surgery?

Oh I forgot to add I have a *** and I have already received an approved referral to have a consultation with a bariatric surgeon

Hello everyone! I'm slowly starting my lap band journey. I met with my PCP and she gave me a referral to see a surgeon. I'm going to my first seminar on May 14, then after that I can make a appointment to see the surgeon. I have a question that maybe (hopefully) you guys can help me answer... According to my insurance (anthem blue cross) I have no coverage of the bariatric surgery. But if the doctor sees it medically necessary my insurance will cover the surgery after I pay my deductible, as long as he writes a letter off medical necessity. Does anyone have any advice as to what I can say to help him help me with a letter? My BMI is 45 and I'm 100+ pounds overweight. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I'm doing my seminar in Orange, California

Thanks for the feedback... Do you have any advice or info about the 1st visit with the bariatric surgeon? What should I expect?